Plugin
Updated
Blackhole Pro
Blackhole Pro is a WordPress security plugin by Jeff Starr that detects and blocks bad bots. It sets hidden trap links that only misbehaving bots follow, then blocks them from the site while real visitors and good bots such as search engine crawlers keep normal access.
- Version
- 3.6.1
- Released
- Aug 10, 2026
- Developer
- Jeff Starr
- Type
- WordPress plugin
- Licence
- GPL
- Included in
- Every plan, or $4.79 on its own
- Topics
- Security Plugins
What’s new in Blackhole Pro 3.6.1
Version 3.6.1 · Aug 10, 2026
Latest
- ImprovedSpecial thanks to Averon Averenkov for helping to improve the security and usability of this plugin.
- ImprovedImproves nonce security
- FixedRemoves chrome and other strings from default whitelist
- ImprovedMitigates cache incompatibility with checks for WP_CACHE
- ImprovedImproves UA whitelist information in plugin Help tab
- ImprovedUpdates plugin settings page
- ImprovedImproves plugin documentation
- ImprovedTests on WordPress 7.1
What it does
Spammers, scrapers, scanners and bandwidth leeches waste server resources and fill your site with junk requests. This plugin handles them with a simple idea: it places hidden trigger links on your pages that people never see or click. Well-behaved crawlers respect the rules and stay away, while bad bots follow the link and fall into a virtual blackhole. From then on, those bots are blocked from the site, and the plugin works in the background without complex configuration.
You keep control over how the trap behaves. You can whitelist trusted bots, blacklist by user agent or IP address (including whole IP ranges), and exclude triggers on specific posts or pages. A searchable log records each blocked bot with its IP, request data, user agent and geo-location, and email alerts can tell you when a block happens. It is built on WordPress APIs, works alongside other security plugins and runs on Apache, Nginx and Windows servers.
Best for
- Site owners dealing with spam bots and scrapers
- Agencies managing security across many client sites
- Blogs and shops on Apache, Nginx or Windows servers
Features
Automatic bad bot trapping
Hidden trigger links catch bots that ignore the rules, then block them from the site to stop spam, scraping and scanning activity.
Custom trigger links
Configure the hidden links that act as bot traps, and exclude triggers on specific pages or posts when you need finer control over detection.
Whitelists and blacklists
Allow trusted bots such as popular search engines, and block unwanted visitors by user agent or IP address, including entire IP ranges.
Detailed bad bot log
See every blocked bot with its IP address, request data, user agent and geo-location. Search and sort entries, and add bots to the trap manually.
Email alerts with Whois
Get customizable email notifications for each blocked bot, including IP details and a Whois lookup, so you know what is hitting your site.
Custom blocked responses
Edit warning and blocked messages, redirect bad bots to a custom URL of your choice, and change the HTTP status code they receive.
Inline documentation
Each settings screen includes clear documentation, so you can set up and adjust the plugin without leaving your WordPress admin area.
One-click settings restore
Revert all options to their default settings with a single click if a configuration change does not work out the way you planned.
Blackhole Pro older versions
- 3.6Jul 256 improvements, 1 fix
- 3.5.3Dec 3, 2025
- 3.5.2Jun 3, 2025
- 3.5.1Nov 6, 2024
- 3.5Jul 17, 2024
- 3.4.1Apr 2, 2024
- 3.2.1Apr 18, 2023
Members and buyers of this product can download older versions.
Questions about Blackhole Pro
Will this block Google and other search engines?
No. The plugin lets good bots such as search engine crawlers through, and you can whitelist trusted bots by user agent. Only bots that follow the hidden trap links, which well-behaved crawlers avoid, get blocked.
Can I use it alongside my existing security plugin?
Yes. It is built on WordPress APIs for compatibility with other popular security plugins, so it can add bot trapping to a setup you already have in place.
How do I know which bots were blocked?
The bad bot log lists each blocked bot with its IP address, request data, user agent and geo-location. You can search and sort it, and optional email alerts include IP details and a Whois lookup.
Can I control what a blocked bot sees?
Yes. You can customize the warning and blocked messages, redirect bad bots to a custom URL, and change the HTTP status code returned to them.
Is Blackhole Pro free?
The code of Blackhole Pro is licensed under the GPL, so anyone may use, change and share it. GPL Feast is a paid service: a plan or a single purchase gives you the download and automatic updates. The developer's own support, licence key and online services are not included.
Which version of Blackhole Pro is this?
Version 3.6.1, released Aug 10, 2026. New versions appear here when the developer publishes them, and members get them as automatic updates.
How do I update Blackhole Pro?
Install the free GPL Feast Updater on your site and connect it with your API key. It installs new versions of Blackhole Pro automatically and keeps a backup, so you can roll back.
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